RUCK’s Six Nations Team of the week: powered by Charles Tyrwhitt.
The opening weekend of the 2023 Six Nations is in the books. Ireland presented why they are the number one ranked team in the world, with a dominant 34-10 win over Wales. The Calcutta Cup once again remained in Scottish hands, as England began their Six Nations campaign with a 23-29 home defeat.
Italy were moments away from providing a shocking upset victory over France, as their unexpected efforts provided an entertaining contest in Rome. Finishing 24-29 in favour of France, the Italians looked strong, and won’t be taken lightly for the remainder of the competition.
But who impressed the best? Here is RUCK’s Six Nations Team of the week for the opening weekend of the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.
Six Nations Team of the week:
Back-Three:
15. Ange Capuozzo
Italy’s pocket rocket lit up the Stadio Olympico with an exciting performance against France. An incredible outing by the fullback personified the Italians’ underdog spirit. Capuozzo’s tricky footwork and explosive pace put Italy on the front-foot in attack. Capuozzo helped his side compete and even lead the match, which many believed to be a walkover French victory.
Italy fought valiantly up to the very end to secure a losing bonus point, with Capuozzo’s try being a a definite spark, keeping the Azzurri in the fight. Just after the half hour mark, Stephen Varney changed the direction of attack, shipping the ball to the blindside left wing. Capuozzo gathered, and stepped his way passed Gregory Alldritt. The number eight tried to tackle Capuozzo into touch, yet the Toulouse star dived for the line, grounding the ball with one hand.
The 23-year-old was pivotal in Italy’s inspired performance, against the reigning Six Nations champions. His unpredictability in attack, and ability to beat opponents was crucial in Italy’s attacking fight. His contributions were important for Italy, as they fought valiantly, and proved the doubters wrong who expected France to dominate.
It was a tough call for the fullback position this week. Honourable mentions go to Liam Williams, who helped spark Wales’ creative comeback against Ireland and Hugo Keenan, who won Man of the Match in Ireland’s opening Six Nations win,
14. Max Malins
One of the saving graces’ for England’s third consecutive Calcutta Cup defeat to Scotland. Max Malins performed excellently in attack for England, presenting his versatility as a finisher out wide, and a heavy ball carrier in from the wing. The Saracens’ star scored England’s first try, keeping them in the fight and Scotland’s early opener. Malins expertly gathered Marcus Smith’s cross field kick mid-dive, and grounded the ball in one swift movement.
Malins waited well and didn’t overcommit in attack, to ensure he scored his second try. Malins ran a great line into the right corner to execute the two-on-one with Lewis Ludlam. Scoring an important try to keep England within 2 points of the visitors, as the sides headed off for the half time break.
11. Duhan van der Merwe
Not only did the Scotland winger scored one of the greatest Six Nations Try in recent history, Duhan van der Merwe dominated England in attack. He deserves the inclusion after a stand out performance for Scotland, and he has now scored in his last two matches at Twickenham for his country. Beating six men in the outstanding solo effort, van der Merwe provided a roof-raising score for the Scots at Twickenham.
Van der Merwe also had no right to score the second try, as he fought his way through the England defenders from the 22m. An explosive first step brushed off the tackle attempt of Marcus Smith, and the bruising winger forced his way over the line despite the tackle attempts of Max Malins and Mako Vunipola. A powerful finish for his winger
An honourable mention to the number 11 jersey goes to Ireland’s James Lowe. The winger scored a fantastic breakaway try against Wales, after intercepting a pass, and charging away along the left wing, for Ireland’s third score. Also imposing in defence, Lowe secured a handful of turnovers to halt Wales’ attacking momentum. A depth touch from the boot, Lowe gave Ireland good backfield positioning, and a reliable clearance kick under pressure.
Centres:
13. Huw Jones
Dynamism from the early goings, Huw Jones started off Scotland’s victorious trip to Twickenham on the attacking foot. Crossing over after 15 minutes, Jones scored Scotland’s first try of the match. Running on to Sione Tuipulotu’s grubber kick, Jones won the foot race against the back-peddling England defenders, and grounded the ball first.
Jones linked up well with Tuipulotu, sending the inside centre into space, and reading his partner’s running lines. Jones read the tempo of England’s defensive line speed, and distributed passes well to his back-three, suppling the ammunition for van der Merwe to run roughshod at Twickenham. He also attacked confidently with ball in hand, tacking the fight to England with heavy carries up front.
12. Gael Fickou
A consistent cool head in France’s hard-fought fight, as the plucky underdogs of Italy refused to roll over. Fickou’s stutter steps and feints when carrying the ball, made the Italian defenders second guess his every move. These hesitations allowed Fickou to play in his teammates, or carry by himself for extra yards over the gain-line, achieving 66 yards in total.
With all eyes on Dupont and the hard-fighting Italians, Fickou’s performance flew slightly under the radar. Yet the centre deserves the adulation for team of the week. Consistent in defence, Fickou made 15 tackles as his opponents refused to quit, making him a stand out in the backs defensively.
Halfbacks:
10. Johnny Sexton
Accurate as ever from the kicking tee, Sexton slotted two penalties to extend Ireland’s lead, as Wales dropped their first-half discipline. Three successful conversions also stretched Ireland’s control on the game, and helped build a 27-3 half time lead. Sexton ran Ireland’s attacking play in textbook style, controlling the tempo of attack and orchestrating the running lines.
The 37-year-old’s place kicking put Ireland into strong attacking positions. Forcing Wales into their corner on numerous occasions, Sexton set his mark and consistently found touch, for Ireland to impose their rolling mauls. Adapting well to the late change at scrum half, with Jamison Gibson-Park’s late injury withdrawal, Sexton wound back the years and partnered up well with Conor Murray at first receiver.
9. Ben White
The Scotland scrum half executed a fantastic solo finish to score Scotland’s third try, and keep his side in the game after 52 minutes. Spying open space at the back of a ruck, White picked the ball blind, and spun through the first tackle attempt by Ben Curry. He then demonstrated neat footwork to step passed Alex Dombrandt, leaving the Harlequins number eight flat on the pitch. The London Irish man then dived over to score a memorable try at Twickenham, in what was a match full of them.
The scrum half barked orders to his men, and led the attack with excellent ball disruption to Hogg and Russell throughout. An honourable mention is awarded to Antoine Dupont, yet Ben White receives the call up in the nine jersey. The casual fan would leave Twickenham or local pub remembering the name Ben White, for his mark-making performance against England. Antoine Dupont’s world class capabilities are highly documented, and an almost expected Man of the Match performance was certainly impressive. However, the former World Rugby Player of the Year was not playing his greatest hits in Rome, as his side had to battle for the win, and leave the ‘jouer’ showboating behind.
Front-row:
1. Ellis Genge
The ‘Baby Rhino’ stood up to the call in his new role as co-captain, and supplied England with leadership from the front. With Brutish carries, Genge put up his hand for pick and goes, and put his head down when charging through the Scottish defenders. Confident enough to lead the close range tap penalties, and ignoring the calls for touch, Genge presented a new leadership side to his international game.
The prop crossed over the try-line early in the second half, as he marked his efforts on the scoreboard. A close range try, with a short shunt to score, was one of Genge’s 17 carries of the day. Leading the tally with ball in hand, Genge’s contributions were acknowledged. He received a warm ovation from Twickenham when he was replaced by the returning Dan Cole.
2. Ken Owens
In a similar style to Genge, Owens rose to the occasion in his newly appointed role as captain. He did not stop battling for his country, and Owens was one of the few Wales players that impressed their supporters in the first half. Secured a turnover on his own try-line to prevent a fourth first half Ireland try.
Aggression and a masterful hooking performance at the scrum, Owens forced turnover’s from an otherwise dominant Ireland. Substituted off at the hour mark to a resounding ovation from the millennium stadium, Scott Baldwin replaced him, earning his first cap since 2017. In Owen’s debut captaincy match, Ireland were always going to be tough opponents, and the Carmarthen man rose to the occasion, and should be proud of his performance on the day.
3. Finlay Bealham
Partnering up with Andrew Porter and Dan Sheehan in the front row, Finlay Bealham was a strong presence at tight-head. A strong scrummager and ball carrier, Bealham shone in the power battle against Ireland. The 31-year-old was called upon to stand up in Tadhg Furlong’s vacancy, and proved why he should remain in Andy Farrell’s plans.
The stand-out player in the number three shirt, Bealham impressed on his opportunity. This weekend’s Six Nations XV features a handful of the impressive Ireland stars, and Bealham is rightfully in the selection. He has grown at international level in an important year, with Ireland looking towards winning their first ever Rugby World Cup, the Connacht prop will be amongst Andy Farrell’s team.
Back-row
4. James Ryan
Ryan took no time to assert himself on Ireland’s opening 2023 Six Nations match. A dominant carry in the second minute, shook the Wales defence and presented Ireland with a heavy overlap close to the try-line, for Calean Doris to score. Just five minutes later, Ryan followed this up with a try of his own, further establishing himself on this year’s Championship.
The Leinster lock picked from close range and drove over the Welsh defenders to score. Ryan presented his prowess in the set-piece, comfortable retaining the ball in attacking positions. A crucial line out steal after 64 minutes, halted Wales attacking comeback momentum, and Ireland cleared the growing danger.
5. Thibaud Flament
The stand-out forward for France today. Flament scored in the early minutes of the match, and began the conversations of an expected France whitewash. Charging the clearance kick of Tomasso Allan, the second row was able to collect the ricocheting ball into his grasp, and stride in unopposed to score his second ever international try.
The core of the French defence, Flament absorbed all that Italy through at him. Constantly impressing in Fabien Galthie’s squad, the Stade Toulousain lock is continuing to impress in each performance for Les Blues. The 25-year-old is certainly coming into his own for his country, and will hope to keep the momentum growing ahead of a Rugby World Cup on home soil.
Back-row
6. Sebastian Negri
One of two Italian flankers who simply never stopped fighting. They were the engine room of Italy’s inspired fight against the odds, and were not phased by the world-class opponents they lined up against. Halting Dupont’s winding runs, and cutting off the options for Ntamack’s offloads, Negri focussed his defence on the headline making half-backs.
Negri won the physical battle against his opposite man Anthony Jelonch, and helped upset the mentality of Charles Ollivon, leading to his dismissal and subsequent penalty try. An honourable mention to Ben Curry, as the young England flanker stepped up on his twin brother’s absence. However, a missed tackle on Ben White proved crucial after all, giving the advantage to the Italian blindside flanker.
7. Michele Lamaro
The second twin turbo that kept on burning in Rome. Michele Lamaro did his country proud, as he led from the front as the Azzurri’s captain. Constantly involved in the breakdown, Lamaro’s intensity never faltered in the contest. The Italians looked like they were used to being in such a position, with Lamaro’s cool head leading his men, as they at times looked like possible victors.
A Parisse-esque captain, who sings “Il Canto degli Italiani” at the top of his lungs, Lamaro stepped up to the occasion for his nation. A touch more astute than the bruising Sebastian Negri, Lamaro is a technician in the ruck, and an architect when setting out his men in defence.
8. Calean Doris
Opening the scoring for Ireland after just two minutes, Calean Doris quickly asserted his presence in Cardiff. Providing a threatening ball carrying presence, Doris led the charts for carries in attack with 15. Solid in defence, Doris Impressed with chop tackles throughout the match, and was equally as strong on that side of the ball.
A try saving tackle and following turnover stopped Welsh momentum after they had fought their way back into he game in the second half. Doris also led the tackle charts for the clash with Wales, making 19. The number eight truly put in a match-winning performance, and rightfully takes the final spot in this weekend’s Six Nations XV.